We have advised Canada's biggest video game developer, Behaviour Interactive, on its acquisition of Codeglue, an award-winning game developer in the Netherlands. This acquisition marks Behaviour's third European studio acquisition in the last six months and further increases the firm's access to the continent’s historically rich pool of gaming talent.
Behaviour is a multi-faceted Canadian gaming studio renowned for creating and supporting genre-defying titles. The studio has enjoyed immense success with its original horror-action multiplayer game, Dead by Daylight™. Behaviour also provided external development services for many of the gaming industry’s global leaders.
Codeglue is known for its expertise in co-development projects across all platforms and was named Best Studio at the 2022 Dutch Game Awards. Codeglue will now operate as Behaviour Rotterdam.
The acquisition of Codeglue represents Behaviour’s third European expansion in the last six months. We previously advised the firm on its acquisition of SockMonkey Studios, now Behaviour UK - North in February 2023 and on the opening of a new studio in Cornwall comprised of former Antimatter Games employees, Behaviour UK - South, last month. With these three studios Behaviour will further strengthen its industry-leading external development capabilities.
Commenting on the transaction, Corporate Partner Philip Shepherd said: "Behaviour has undergone a major global expansion this year. It's been great to work closely together with the Behaviour team throughout this exciting period of growth for the business. The transaction builds further on our long-standing international focus on the interactive entertainment sector, helping key stakeholders grow into new segments and markets."
Roland Ribotti, Behaviour’s Chief Financial Officer added: "We've been working with Taylor Wessing since our expansion in the UK and we're very pleased to count once again with the team's in-depth expertise across different countries. They are rightly at the top of their game and we look forward to continuing working together."
The multi-jurisdictional team from Taylor Wessing was led by corporate partner Selma Baouch in the Netherlands and corporate partner Philip Shepherd in the UK.
Further support in the Netherlands was provided by Partners Maja Bolè and Elmar Dijkstra, Senior Associate Jeslin Brunsting and Associate Thijs van der Vegt in the Corporate team and Partner Bart Hunnekens in the Employment, Pensions and Mobility team.
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt advised on the Canadian aspects of the transaction.
